Jaguarundi Curl vs African Serval - Breed Comparison

Jaguarundi Curl vs African Serval - Breed ComparisonAfrican Serval is originated from South Africa but Jaguarundi Curl is originated from United States. African Serval may weigh 8 kg / 18 pounds more than Jaguarundi Curl. Both African Serval and Jaguarundi Curl has same life span. Both African Serval and Jaguarundi Curl has same litter size. Both African Serval and Jaguarundi Curl requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

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South Africa
United States
Weight Male:
9 - 18 kg
19 - 40 pounds
6 - 10 kg
13 - 23 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 18 kg
19 - 40 pounds
6 - 10 kg
13 - 23 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 20 Years
15 - 20 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
None
Colors Available:
Spotted and striped with black against a golden/tawny shade
Tawny, silver, black markings
Coat:
short
Short and silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

african servalThe African Serval is a wild cat that hails from Africa. You’ll see them on Africa’s savannas where there is tall grass and reeds, preferably near water.

If you want to own a serval cat, you have to check whether you require licenses and permits as they are particularly difficult to rehome once you have owned one. Humans have kept them since ancient times, but they are not domesticated cats as such.

Breeding servals arrived in the United States many decades ago. Breeders have also crossed serval cats with domestic cats to produce hybrids, one of which is the Savannah cat.

jaguarundi curlFound mostly in Central and South America, the Jaguarundi Curl has been bred to look like a wild cat. - the Jaguarundi.

It was in the 1940s that the cat was also found in Florida. It is a result of a crossing between the Hyland Lynx with Munchkins and possibly other short-legged domestic cats.

The Munchkin cat is a medium-sized cat and it also has very short legs – the result of a genetic mutation.

Description

african serval kitten - descriptionThe Serval is a medium to large-sized cat that stands at between 54–62 cm in height and weighs in the region of 9–18 kg.

Some people think its a cat that looks similar to a Cheetah and this is because it also has a small head. It is known for its large ears which are black at the back with a large white dot. The attractively patterned coat is both spotted and striped with black against a golden/tawny shade.

These wild cats make a number of different noises - high pitched cries to growls, spitting sounds and purring. Another well-known feature with the cat is its particularly long legs. The tail has some black rings and it is black-tipped. The eyes of the Serval are a brown/greeny color.

The Serval cats will only come together for mating and then they resume their solitary lives. Gestation lasts for roughly 73 days after which up to 6 kittens can be born. In captivity, a Serval can live to be about 20 years of age.

Temperament:

The Serval is an active cat night and day. They are solitary animals not known for strong social interactions with humans but they can be playful with the few humans he gets to know.

People need to always know that owning a wild pet like this comes with risks. Not only that, a Serval wants to mark its territory and while you may provide a litter box, it's not to say he will use it.

They are able to bond with humans to some extent, more so if they were hand-fed from early on. They bond with one person and can form an affectionate relationship with that one person.

jaguarundi curl kitten - descriptionThis is a medium-sized, strong, muscular wild cat with short legs, a large head and small ears that are curled and set wide apart.

The eyes are wide-set and are large and expressive. The eyes can be gold, green or even blue.

The cat can weigh anything between 6 and 10kg. They can take up to years to reach their weight. The tail of the cat is long and thick, the body long and muscular.

The short coat is a ticked or a spotted pattern and can come in various colors. In most cats, the coats are tawny or solid like the Jaguarundi. In ideal specimens, coats will be tawny or solid like the Jaguarundi.

Temperament:

Maybe it’s the cat’s wild side but the Jaguarundi Curl cat is a shy, elusive and somewhat solitary cat. In the wild these cats only socialize to mate.

It is, however, a very vocal cat. The cat is also a good climber and swimmer and you will need to invest in climbing equipment.

If your Jaguarundi Curl has more Munchkin in him, you may find him far more sociable and actually seeking out the company of his human family.

Characteristics

african serval cat - characteristicsThe African Serval is a wild animal and should be left in the wild.

However, if you do decide to bring one into your home as a pet, they aren’t recommended for homes with young children or for a first-time pet owner.

Their play is rough and they like to use their teeth and claws during play. If the child gets hurt, then in typical unfair human fashion, the Serval is the one who suffers. They are capable of making good pets though but it is not recommended.

jaguarundi curl cat - characteristicsThe wild Jaguarundi is smallish cat that is a little bit larger than a house cat.

Some people like keeping these mixed-breed, hybrid cats, and they can make good pets, but they do tend to be reclusive. You have to remember that with these cats, part of their genetic makeup is a wild cat, and this just means that you can’t really be sure how they will turn out.

Think twice before you buy a cute little Jaguarunndi Curl kitten. Cat Rescue shelters are seeing a massive escalation in the number of hybrid cats who are just abandoned by their owners.

They wanted a ‘wild-type’ cat and ended up with behavior from the cat that they couldn’t handle. How cruel is that. Its the human's fault, not the cat.

Health Problems

african serval kittens - health problemsMake sure that before you take in a Serval as a pet you have access to a good veterinarian who is experienced in helping exotic pets.

Also, the African Serval, when domesticated, will need the same cat vaccines that you would give your regular kitten.

jaguarundi curl kittens - health problemsHybrid cats do have some health issues because of their breeding. Cat owners who choose these cat breeds need to know that they have special needs.

You should speak to your vet about the health of your cat. Domestic cats and wild cats have a different number of chromosomes. These cats wouldn’t normally mate so that when they are crossed during breeding, an abnormal genetic makeup is a result.

Reproductive problems in cats like the Jaguarundi Curl become a common occurrence and stillbirths can be the norm. Often you’ll find that some of the cats are infertile, whether male or female.

You've also got to be aware of vaccines as sometimes they don't work with these hybrid cats. Many times a cat like this is exposed to rabies and you'll find that the vaccine was ineffective.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

african serval cats - caringThe Serval is a wild cat so in the wilds it eats prey such as frogs, birds and reptiles. They are known for leaping high into the air to catch prey but they will also burrow into holes to get prey out.

You should try to provide your Serval pet with some whole prey. Do research on the food of Servals because you will need to offer your wild pet a feline supplement. There are also formulated pelleted food, but this shouldn’t form the bulk of his food but rather be a supplement to his meats. Choose a variety of meats such as chicken, mice, turkey, beef, duck as well as rabbits and birds.

Space:

If you keep a serval, it is imperative that it has large outdoor areas to roam in. They’re nocturnal animals, so they become more active at night. They’re used to living near streams in the wild so some kind of pool will be required for him, possibly even a fish pond where he can catch his own fish.

jaguarundi curl cats - caringBe prepared for the new arrival of your cat. Have food and water bowls, warm bedding, toys, litter box, and food all available and waiting.

Your Jaguarundi Curl doesn’t require a specialized diet. You can feed him much the same as your other domestic cats.

The food needs to be high-quality and can be wet or dry food, so long as it makes sure that meat is the top ingredient. Your cat is a carnivore and will require meaty meals to remain healthy. Dietary supplements or vitamins can only do your Jaguarundi Curl good.

You can brush the coat once each week to remove loose hair and to keep the coat shiny.

You want to provide your cat with a litter box and keep it clean too. These hybrid cats don’t easily learn to use the litter box as they should, and they may do their business around your home as opposed to using the litter box.

Get your pet a collar and tag to identify your cat in case he gets away.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Jaguarundi Curl vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. Jaguarundi Curl vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. Jaguarundi Curl vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. Jaguarundi Curl vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. Jaguarundi Curl vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. Jaguarundi Curl vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. Jaguarundi Curl vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. Jaguarundi Curl vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. Jaguarundi Curl vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. Jaguarundi Curl vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Jaguarundi Curl vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Jaguarundi Curl vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  13. Jaguarundi Curl vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  14. Jaguarundi Curl vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  15. Jaguarundi Curl vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  16. Jaguarundi Curl vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  17. Jaguarundi Curl vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. Jaguarundi Curl vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
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  20. Jaguarundi Curl vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  21. Jaguarundi Curl vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  22. Jaguarundi Curl vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  23. Jaguarundi Curl vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  24. Jaguarundi Curl vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. Jaguarundi Curl vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. African Serval vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. African Serval vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Chausie vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. American Bobtail vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  30. American Curl vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  31. American Keuda vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  32. American Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  33. American Polydactyl vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  34. American Shorthair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  35. American Wirehair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  36. Applehead Siamese vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  37. Ashera vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  38. Asian vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  39. Asian Semi-Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  40. Australian Mist vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  41. Balinese vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  42. Bengal vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  43. Bicolor vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  44. Birman vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  45. Blue Russian vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  46. Bombay vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  47. Brazilian Shorthair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  48. Bristol vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  49. British Longhair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  50. British Shorthair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison